Basement club Malton & Old Malton provided the opposition for Britcom sponsored Londesborough Park’s 1st XI last weekend and, despite not winning a game all season, managed to secure a draw.
The Park took first knock and opener Lucas Stephenson (31) lost three partners in Phil Stothard, Greg Drewery and Charlie Rook before he became the fourth wicket to fall with the score on 76. James Hanley chipped in with 26 but the loss of Tom Eagling and Ben Shingles saw the Park struggling on 114 for 7. A rebuilding job by James Beevers and Michael Drewery (18) improved the prospects of a competitive score and Joe Shingles (17 no) kept Beevers company through to the end of the innings, the latter remaining unbeaten on 48 in a total of 193 for 8. Ryan Gaughan was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors with 4 for 45.
The Malton reply started positively with William Spencer (56) and Paul Tierney enjoying an opening partnership of 58. A further stand of 34 between Spencer and Tom Audsley had the visitors nicely placed at 92 for 2. However Hanley and Rook both added to their tally of wickets and Ciaran Brooke claimed two victims as the visitors’ momentum tailed off. A run out courtesy of Charlie Rook provided the Park with a chance of victory but Danny Foxton held the Malton innings together with 36 not out in a final score of 153 for 8.
This result sees the Park move up a place in Ebor division 2 ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Scarborough. The Maltonmatch ball was kindly sponsored by Tigers Takeaway.
Londesborough Park 1st XI 193-8 (J Beevers 48 no, L Stephenson 31, J Hanley 26, R Gaughan 4-45) Malton & Old Malton 2nd XI 153-8 (W Spencer 56, D Foxton 36 no)
The Red Lion sponsored 2nd XI took the lion’s share of the points in a drawn encounter against Civil Service to move further away from the wrong end of the table.
With both captain and vice captain absent, Joel Taylor lead the team which was invited to bat first. Rory Stephenson compiled 16 before he was caught, bringing Sam Dodd and Eddy Rook (35) together who kept the runs flowing in a 2ndwicket partnership of 49. Edward Smith fell cheaply and Dodd departed for 40 but Tom Williamson struck 4 boundaries in his 24 whilst Ryan Curtis contributed 18 and senior pro Rich Foster hit a valuable unbeaten 33 to take the Park to 201 for 7 at the tea interval.
The Civil Service reply never really got out of first gear despite solid contributions from William Phelps (37) and Simon Brown (35). The Park fielders held 7 catches and Rory Stephenson hit a purple patch with the ball claiming 6 for 25. However, despite their best efforts, the bowlers couldn’tmake the final breakthrough as the hosts held out on 110 for 9.
The Park are now 49 points clear of the automatic relegation places with 4 fixtures remaining, starting with the visit of mid-table Goole 2nd XI this weekend. Thanks to F LeakeButchers for their sponsorship of the match ball.
Londesborough Park 2nd XI 201-7 (S Dodd 40, E Rook 35, R Foster 33 no, T Brown 3-58) Civil Service 110-9 (W Phelps 37, S Brown 35, R Stephenson 6-25)